What A Thug About: 5 Examples Of Beanie Sigel’s Legal Struggles - Page 2

Although Beanie Sigel, real name Dwight Grant, made his debut with beloved Philadelphia Hip-Hop band The Roots, the self-admitted street tough would go on the find fame with Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella imprint via Def Jam in the early 2000s. Throughout his career, the 38-year-old Beanie Mac simply couldn’t shake his bad boy past and it all came full circle after getting arrested earlier today (August 29th) just weeks before he was set to turn begin a two year bid for tax evasion.

The Internet slander has been deafening regarding the Broad Street Bully’s penchant for trouble with the law. Hip-HopWired looks at five instances of legal struggles for Beanie Sigel, with hopes that he finally will get the help he clearly needs. And a better driver.

MORE ON HIP-HOP WIRED!

• 8 Best Struggle Lines From The Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta Reunion

• Exclusive: Cinematic Music Group’s Jonny Shipes’ Five Rules To Running A Rap Label

• Kim Kardashian Says Reality TV “Reminds Me Of Rap Music”

• The 23 Best Rapper Cameos In Cartoons [PHOTOS]

• 7 Hilarious Hip-Hop Moments From The Hit TV Show Martin

• God Forgives, I Don’t: 10 Rappers Who Put Grown Man Hands On People Who Were Just Doing Their Job

• That Was Not Bow Wow Cuddling With Another Dude In That Pic [PHOTOS]

• Game, Wiz Khalifa, Chris Brown & Tyga Shoot “Celebration” Video In L.A. [PHOTOS]

• Bangin’ Candy: Guy Code’s Melanie Iglesias [PHOTOS]

—

Photo: AP

Beanie Sigel Charged With Attempted Murder (2003)

In the summer of 2003, an exchange outside a West Philadelphia between a neighborhood associate and the Broad Street Bully got ugly when Beans reportedly fired around six shots from a 9 mm handgun, striking the man in the foot and stomach after an argument with two women. Two days later after a performance with the Jay-Z’s “Roc The Mic” tour, he turned himself into Philly police.

Jury Deadlocked Over Shooting Case (2004)

Beanie Sigel dodged a bullet (couldn’t resist the pun) after jurors were deadlocked  in the case where the rapper was accused of Terrence Speller outside a Philadelphia bar in the spring of 2004. The nine-day trial featured visits in the courtroom from Mac’s label boss and roster including Jay-Z, Kanye West, Damon Dash and Beyoncé. Beans also had some other rumored charges such as punching and older gentleman in the eye. He was acquitted of the attempted murder charges in 2005.

Beans Ducks Court Date For Marijuana Charge (2009)

Beanie Sigel’s string of bad legal luck continued in the summer of 2009 after being slapped with a drug possession charge. In September of that year, a judge issued a bench warrant for the rapper’s arrest after he failed to appear in court for the reefer charge. Marijuana affects the memory, some say.

Beanie Sigel Gets Two-Year Sentence For Tax Evasion

When it rains it pours and, in the case of Beanie Sigel and his tax evasion issues, the dam finally burst. After pleading guilty to the charges in 2011, IRS investigators discovered that the State Property ringleader earned $2.2. million over a six year period and owed Uncle Sam $728, 538. Although prosecutors sought a three-year sentence, the judge in the case was lenient by dropping it to two but not without some tough talk to go along with the ruling.

Beanie Sigel Caught With Drugs, Guns In Traffic Stop (2012)

Perhaps Beanie Sigel just had a death wish or simply has lost the will to fight the law, but nothing can explain why the beleaguered MC would be driving around with drugs and weapons in his vehicle. Earlier this morning, Pennsylvania cops pulled over Beanie and another man and discovered a gun, codeine, prescription pills and cash. Under state law, both Beans and his passenger were felons and not allowed to possess the gun. To add further insult, Beanie Sigel was set to perform during a farewell “pre-prison” tour stop in California tomorrow (August 30) evening. The rapper is reportedly still in custody.